Athena Hawthorne never imagined that she would lose everything she'd ever had. But after the death of her father, his prosperous jewelry store is sold off to pay his supposed debts. Athena, now destitute, embarks on a mission to discover the truth, but circumstances force her to accept an offer from a handsome stranger to work as a governess. She's determined to clear her father's name, but a certain earl is making matters far more difficult than necessary. And she can't be in danger of losing her heart to a member of the aristocracy...

Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, is convinced that Athena is a grasping thief who stole a priceless family heirloom, the rare sapphire known as the Couleur Magnifique. When he offers her the position of governess to his sister's children, he only intends to catch her in some nefarious scheme and get back the sapphire—his grandmother's dying wish. But he soon discovers that keeping his distance—and his sanity—around the beautiful Athena isn't as easy as he'd planned. It certainly doesn't help that his sister and his best friend plead her innocence at every frustrating turn. Soon he's struggling between honoring his promise and his growing attraction to Athena.

But there's danger closer than either expect. Even a masquerade can't hide Athena from the curiosity of the ton forever...and there's a threat hiding among the highest members of society...

Torn from the only man she'd ever loved by a tragic secret, Mara Miller has traveled a long and difficult road. From poverty and the workhouses, she's finally made a life for herself as the owner of a small haberdashery in London. With her companion, Big B, an African slave she'd helped escape from a Brazilian slaver, she's made a fresh start. But when the past walks into her shop—in the form of the ever-handsome Roarke Garrott, Viscount Eversleigh—Mara feels her whole world crash to her feet. Thrust back into a web of lies, deceit, and manipulation, Mara is forced to face the one man she'd sworn to forget.

For the past seven years, Roarke had sequestered himself in India to mourn Mara's death. Vowing to move on and put the past behind him, he returns to London, only to find himself gazing into those beautiful green eyes he believed he'd never see again. Now he's found her--aliveand trying to deny who she was. A million feelings wash over him. Joy. Fury. Heartbreak. He would have the truth from her—of where she'd gone, and why—but when trouble from the past finds Mara and Big B, the truth becomes secondary to saving Mara's life. After just learning that the woman he'd loved is alive, Roarke is not about to lose her again...

An innocent woman. A loyal agent to the Crown. A path of deception that tests the bonds of love.

Lyra Coventry, Lady Weston, has spent the past three years trapped in an abusive and loveless marriage. But just when she believes she’s free, she’s charged with the murder of her husband. With no one to turn to for help, her judgment seems rather dire, until the Duke of Albright comes forward to offer his aid. With no choice but to put her trust in him, she doesn’t know that he has an ulterior motive for helping her – to prove her guilty of treason. It isn’t until the true villain comes to light that she discovers a strength she never knew existed – and a love she never thought was possible.

Alister Ayles, Duke of Albright, might be the subject of ton ridicule, but as a highly respected agent for the Crown, he discovered a higher purpose. However, when he’s faced with his toughest investigation to date, he has to travel a difficult path. Years ago, he’d made a mistake and let Lyra slip through his fingers. Now, he has a chance to make it right by clearing her name. But when it comes down to a test of loyalty, will he stand strong, or fall prey to his desires?

Tabetha Waite is the award winning author of "Why the Earl is After the Girl," her debut novel and the first installment of her Ways of Love series. Raised in Missouri by her paternal grandparents, she always had a love of reading. Her early influences were the Gothic romances of the 60s, the Janet Dailey Americana series, and "Midnight Bride" by Kathleen Drymon. She continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters.